Hand-held portable electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic apparatus including a main body having a display unit on a surface and a protruding holding unit. The holding unit includes a pointing device and switches that are operated by a same hand holding the holding unit. The pointing device includes one of a stick type pointing device and a trackball type pointing device that performs pointing operations including moving a cursor displayed on the display unit. The switches are for setting or canceling instructions given by the pointing device with click operations. The holding unit is also configured to be folded toward a side of the main body. When it is folded, an electric power supply is automatically turned off or put in a standby state and when the holding unit is unfolded to its original position, the electric power supply is a turned on or put in an operating state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/619,614, filed Jul. 19, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,869, whichclaims priority to and contains subject matter related to JapanesePatent Application No. 11-205400, filed on Jul. 19, 1999, the entirecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable electronic apparatus with animproved operability, and more particularly to a hand-held portableelectronic apparatus including a protruding holding unit that can beoperated by a same hand holding the portable electronic apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known electronic apparatuses (such as a portable computer, aportable word processor, various types of portable electronic terminalapparatuses, etc.) are configured so various operations can be performedby operating a pointing device and switches of the apparatus withfingers of one hand holding the apparatuses. These apparatuses areconveniently configured to be operated by only one hand holding theapparatus when a user is in, for example, a crowded train or when theuser holds a bag with the other hand, and so on.

For example, a portable information processing apparatus having arectangular plate shape and a thickness suitable for holding it with onehand (e.g., with the left hand) is described in Japanese PatentLaid-Open Publication No. 10-20964. This known apparatus includes an LCDdisplay and a pointing device, which is operable only with a thumb ofthe left hand. Accordingly, the pointing device is located at anappropriate place on a left side edge of the LCD display. Also includedon the back side of the apparatus is an instruction switch for setting aposition designated on the LCD display by the pointing device or tocancel the designation. The instruction switch can be operated with thefingers of the left hand other than the thumb.

The known portable information processing apparatus is held at the edgeof the rectangular plate-shaped body with the thumb and other fingers ofone hand. The pointing device is operated with fingers of the same handholding the apparatus. When the pointing device or the instructionswitch is operated with respective fingers of the hand holding theapparatus, the apparatus shakes or sways, making it difficult tooperate. This results in misoperations. When the pointing device isoperated with the thumb, the apparatus especially tends to sway due tochanges in the positions where respective forces of the other fingersare exerted.

Because the apparatus is held at its surface and backside by the thumband other fingers, respectively, the operation of the pointing device(e.g., moving a cursor on the display) must be performed by exerting anextra force on the pointing device with the thumb (i.e., to offset theintensity of forces of the other fingers holding the apparatus).However, the thumb tends to slip over the pointing device when the forceexerted on the pointing device by the thumb is increased. When the thumbslips over the pointing device and drops from the surface of theapparatus or accidently moves to an edge of the apparatus (where it ishard to exert pressure with the thumb), the apparatus may slip out ofthe user's hand, fall to the ground and be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to solve theabove-noted and other problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portableelectronic apparatus, which can be operated with the same hand holdingthe apparatus without the apparatus swaying and possibly dropping to theground.

To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides aportable electronic apparatus including a main body having a displayunit on a surface and a protruding holding unit. The holding unitincludes a pointing device and switches that are operated by a same handholding the holding unit. The pointing device includes one of a sticktype pointing device and a trackball type pointing device that performspointing operations including moving a cursor displayed on the displayunit. The switches are for setting or canceling instructions (with clickoperations) given by the pointing device.

The holding unit is also configured to be folded toward a side of themain body. When it is folded, an electric power supply is automaticallyturned off or put in a standby state and when the holding unit isunfolded to its original position, the electric power supply is a turnedon or put in an operating state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic of a portable electronic apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic of a holding unit of the portable electronicapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating another example of a portableelectronic apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a foldable holding unit of the portableelectronic apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3B is another side view of the foldable holding unit of theportable electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1Aand 1B are schematics of a portable electronic apparatus 1 according tothe present invention. The portable electronic apparatus 1 includes amain body 2 having a display unit (not shown) on a top surface 2 a and aholding unit 3 attached to a bottom surface 2 b. The holding unit 2protrudes in a downward direction and is configured to be fitted withinthe palm and operated with any finger(s) of the hand.

The holding unit 3 includes a grip 4 configured so an operator can gripit with one hand, a connector 5 extending in an upward direction from anupper part of the grip 4 and a fixing member 6. The holding unit 3 isattached to the main body 2 by fixing the fixing member 6 on the bottomsurface 2 b of the main body 2 using screws, for example. The holdingunit 3 can also be attached to the bottom surface 2 b of the main body 2by means other than screws, such as by configuring an upper end part ofthe connector to be detachable from the bottom surface 2 b. Variousconfigurations can be selected for attaching the connector 5 to thebottom surface.

The grip 4, almost cylindroid-shaped, includes a pointing device 10 andswitches 11, 12 which can be operated by any one of fingers F of onehand H holding the grip 4 (the right hand in this example). The pointingdevice 10 is a mechanism configured to perform pointing operations, suchas moving the cursor displayed on the display unit, and it may be eithera stick type as illustrated in FIG. 1A or a trackball type (not shown),for example. The pointing device 10 is placed at an appropriate locationon an upper end surface of the grip 4 in a protruding configuration. Thelocation and height of the protrusion of the pointing device 10 areselected so an operator can operate it with the fingertip of the thumbof one hand H. The switches 11, 12 are mechanisms configured todetermine or cancel instructions (with click operations) given by thepointing device 10 and are placed where they can easily be operated withfingertips of the forefinger and the middle finger of the one hand H,respectively.

In one example of the present invention, the grip 4 can be sufficientlygrasped with the palm H1, the ring finger F4 and the little finger F5without involving the forefinger F2 and the middle finger F3 (see FIG.1B). Consequently, both fingertips of the forefinger F2 and middlefinger F3 are free to perform ON/OFF operations of the switches 11, 12.In addition, because the grip 4 may be firmly grasped with the palm H1,ring finger F4 and little finger F5, the grip 4 and the main body 2 isnot shaken or swayed when the thumb F1, the forefinger F2 and the middlefinger F3 are moved within their operating ranges. Therefore, thepointing device 10 and the switches 11, 12 can be operated stably withthe thumb F1, the forefinger F2 and the middle finger F3 while the grip4 is firmly held. In addition, a viewability of displayed information onthe display unit is not decreased. In other words, because the grip 4 isgrasped with the palm H1 (including the bottom of the thumb F1′), thering finger F4 and the little finger F5 which are not directly involvedin operations of the pointing device 10 and switches 11 and 12, theother fingers (i.e., the thumb F1, the forefinger F2 and the middlefinger F3) are free to operate the pointing device 10 and switches 11,12. Thus, the portable electronic apparatus is not shaken or swayed asdiscussed above.

Further, because the grip 4 is mainly grasped with the palm H1, the ringfinger F4 and the little finger F5, the thumb F1 operating the pointingdevice 10 can move freely which increases an operability. Thus, evenwhen the thumb F1 slips off the pointing device 10, the apparatus 1 isnot jerked out of the hand.

In addition, based on the size of the operator's hand, a portion betweenthe second and third arthroses of the forefinger F2, middle finger F3,ring finger F4, little finger F5 and possibly the bottom F1′ of thethumb F1 may be used to hold the grip 4. Accordingly, a reference to thepalm in the examples of the present invention may include a periphery ofthe palm used for grasping the grip 4.

According to the present invention, the pointing device 10 and switches11, 12 provide similar functions as a mouse. That is, right and leftclicks in the mouse may be assigned to respectively correspond to theswitches 11, 12 and moving the cursor may be assigned to correspond tothe pointing device 10. Thus, the operability of the pointing device 10and switches 11, 12 is the same as the mouse.

In addition, the grip 4 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is configured to beheld with the right hand. Obviously, the grip 4 can be configured forholding the left hand. Further, as discussed above, the pointing device10 and switches 11, 12, have a similar construction as a mouse. Thus,the same electrical interface as for a mouse can be used. When the sameelectrical interface is used, the holding unit 3 functions as anordinary mouse without needing a specific device driver. That is, it ispossible to maintain compatibility with a mouse.

In addition, the holding unit 3 may alternatively be attached to aposition other than on the bottom surface 2 b (e.g., on a side surfaceof the main body 2). However, it is preferable the holding unit 3 islocated on a center of the bottom surface 2 b of the main body 2considering a balance of weight when the holding unit 3 is held with onehand. Further, the pointing device 10 may be placed at an appropriateplace on a periphery of the grip 4 so as to be operated with theforefinger or the middle finger.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a grip belt 15 may be added to the grip4 by securing upper and lower ends of the belt 15 to the grip 4. Thegrip belt 15 may be made of fabric, etc. Thus, the operator can graspthe grip 4 by inserting fingers except the thumb into a space betweenthe grip belt 15 and the grip 4 while a back of the hand contacts aninner surface of the grip belt 15. This further prevents the grip 4 fromslipping off. In this case, because a force exerted by the ring andlittle fingers required to grasp the grip 4 is decreased (withoutworrying about dropping the apparatus), the other fingers involved inthe operation may easily be moved.

The portable electronic apparatus 1 also includes batteries which may bestored in a battery compartment provided in the main body. However, withthis configuration, the main body 2 is heavier in weight than theholding unit 3. Therefore, a balance in weight between the main body 2and the holding unit 3 is reduced. To keep the main body 2 and theholding unit 3 in balance, the weight of the holding unit 3 can beincreased by adding a weight, for example. However, this increases thetotal weight of the device which reduces an operability of the devicewith one hand.

The batteries 20 may also be stored in the grip 4, rather than in themain body 2, as shown in FIG. 1A. In this configuration, the weight ofthe main body 2 is reduced because the batteries 20 are stored in thegrip 4 and accordingly the weight of the grip 4 is increased. That is,the center of gravity of the apparatus is lower. Consequently, theweight imposed on the hand holding the apparatus is decreased. This isparticularly advantageous when an operator is using the apparatus forextended periods of time. In addition, the batteries 20 can be removedby opening a lid (not shown) of the battery compartment provided on thebottom surface of the grip 4.

In the above-described examples of the present invention, the portableelectronic apparatus is bulky when it is carried or stored because theholding unit 3 protrudes from the plank-shaped main body 2, thus forminga T-shape. Hence, according to another example of the present invention,the holding unit 3 is configured to fold toward a side of the main body2 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. That is, in this example, the grip4 is configured to rotate in a vertical direction with an upper part ofthe grip 4 connected to a hinge 5 a provided at a lower edge of theconnector 5.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the holding unit 3 protrudes from the main body 2when the portable electronic apparatus 1 is in use. However, when it isnot in use, the holding unit 3 can be rotated in a direction indicatedby the arrow A until it contacts the bottom surface 2 b. When theholding unit 3 is completely folded as illustrated in FIG. 3B, theportable electronic apparatus 1 has a shape without substantialprotrusions and may be easily carried or stored.

In addition, latching devices are provided at the hinge 5 a and bottomsurface 2 b so the grip 4 can be firmly placed at its positions when itis unfolded and folded as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Further, a display unit in portable electronic apparatuses generally hasa flat shape. When the holding unit 3 of the present invention isattached to these portable electronic apparatuses, it is preferable theholding unit 3 is attached orthogonally to the flat shaped display unitin consideration of a load imposed on the wrist, etc. of the operator.In this case, the apparatus is inconvenient to carry or store. However,because the holding unit 3 is configured to be folded and placed in thesame direction as a plane surface of the main body 2, the apparatusgenerally has a flat shape and is smaller in size.

In addition, in the above-described example, when the portableelectronic apparatus 1 is not used, a power switch provided at the mainbody 2 has to be turned off and then the holding unit 3 is folded. Inaddition, when the portable electronic apparatus 1 is used, the powerswitch has to be turned on and the holding unit 3 is unfolded. This iscumbersome for the operator.

Thus, according to another example of the present invention, theportable electronic apparatus 1 is configured so an electric detectionswitch (not shown) provided at the hinge 5 a detects whether the grip 4is unfolded or folded. Then according to a signal from the electricdetection switch, an electric power supply of the portable electronicapparatus 1 is automatically turned on or off, set in a standby state orset in an operating state. That is, the portable electronic apparatus 1is configured to automatically turn off the power switch when the grip 4is folded and turn on the power switch when the grip is unfolded.Alternatively, the portable electronic apparatus 1 may be set in thestandby state and the operating state when the grip 4 is folded andunfolded, respectively.

Thus, with this feature, an operation of the electric power supplyswitch or a standby switch is not required, which substantiallyincreases an operability. That is, the electric detection switcheliminates the need to manually turn on and off the apparatus (i.e.,this is achieved by simply folding and unfolding the grip 4).

In other words, the present invention advantageously provides a novelportable electronic apparatus that can be stably and accurately operatedwithout having a disadvantage or an inconvenience even when theapparatus can be only held and operated by one hand, such as in acrowded train.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

1. A portable electronic apparatus, comprising: a body having a displayunit on a top surface thereof; and a holding unit protrudingsubstantially perpendicular from a bottom surface of the body forholding the portable electronic apparatus and including a menunavigating device for navigating a menu displayed on the display unitand a switch configured to be operated by a same one hand holding theholding unit so that the portable electronic apparatus is able to besupported, held, and operated with one hand, wherein the holding unitincludes a grip configured to be grasped at least with a palm of saidone hand such that when said one hand holds the holding unit, the palmof said one hand holding the holding unit is also substantiallyperpendicular to the bottom surface of the body; wherein said holdingunit is configured to store batteries which are used for an electricpower source to operate said portable electronic apparatus.
 2. Theportable electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grip isfurther configured to be grasped such that when said one hand holds theholding unit, a plane of a back of said one hand is substantiallyperpendicular to the body.
 3. The portable electronic apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the grip is further configured to begrasped such that when said one hand holds the holding unit, the menunavigating device is configured to be operated by a thumb of said onehand.
 4. The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid body is configured to be folded toward a side of said holding unit.5. The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein atleast one of the holding unit and the display unit are automatically putinto one of a turned off state and a standby state when said body andsaid holding unit are folded together, and at least one of the holdingunit and the display unit are put into one of a turned on state and anoperating state when said body and said holding unit are folded apart.6. The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein asurface of the body having the display unit is configured to besubstantially parallel to the palm of said one hand holding the holdingunit when the display unit is not in use.
 7. The portable electronicapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display unit is configuredto be not in use when the body is folded toward the holding unit.
 8. Aportable electronic apparatus, comprising: a body having a display uniton a top surface thereof; and a holding unit protruding substantiallyperpendicular from a bottom surface of the body for holding the portableelectronic apparatus and including a highlighted item changing devicefor changing a highlighted item displayed on the display unit and aswitch configured to be operated by a same one hand holding the holdingunit so that the portable electronic apparatus is able to be supported,held, and operated with one hand, wherein the holding unit includes agrip configured to be grasped at least with a palm of said one hand suchthat when said one hand holds the holding unit, the palm of said onehand holding the holding unit is also substantially perpendicular to thebottom surface of the body.
 9. The portable electronic apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the grip is further configured to begrasped such that when said one hand holds the holding unit, a plane ofthe back of said one hand is substantially perpendicular to the body.10. The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein thegrip is further configured to be grasped such that when said one handholds the holding unit, the highlighted item changing device isconfigured to be operated by a thumb of said one hand.
 11. The portableelectronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said body isconfigured to be folded toward a side of said holding unit.
 12. Theportable electronic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at leastone of the holding unit and the display unit are automatically put intoone of a turned off state and a standby state when said body and saidholding unit are folded together, and at least one of the holding unitand the display unit are put into one of a turned on state and anoperating state when said body and said holding unit are folded apart.13. The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thesurface of the body having the display unit is configured to besubstantially parallel to the palm of said one hand holding the holdingunit when the display unit is not in use.
 14. The portable electronicapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display unit is configuredto be not in use when the body is folded toward the holding unit.
 15. Aportable electronic apparatus, comprising: a body having a display uniton a top surface thereof; and a holding unit protruding substantiallyperpendicular from a bottom surface of the body for holding the portableelectronic apparatus and including a pointing device and a switchconfigured to be operated by a same one hand holding the holding unit sothat the portable electronic apparatus is able to be supported, held,and operated with one hand, wherein the holding unit includes a gripconfigured to be grasped at least with a palm of said one hand such thatwhen said one hand holds the holding unit, the palm of said one handholding the holding unit is also substantially perpendicular to thebottom surface of the body; wherein the holding unit is configured tostore batteries which are used for an electric power source to operatethe portable electronic apparatus.
 16. A portable electronic apparatus,comprising: means for displaying information on a top surface thereof;and means for holding the portable electronic apparatus by a hand, saidmeans for holding protrudes substantially perpendicular from a bottomsurface thereof the means for displaying information, wherein said meansfor holding includes means for moving a cursor by the hand and means forsetting or canceling operations by the hand based on a moved location ofthe cursor, so that the portable electronic apparatus is able to besupported, held, and operated with one hand, and wherein the means forholding includes means for gripping by a palm of said hand such thatwhen the hand holds the means for holding, the palm of said hand holdsthe means for holding means substantially perpendicular to the bottomsurface of the means for displaying information; wherein the means forholding is configured to store batteries which are used for an electricpower source to operate the portable electronic apparatus.
 17. Aportable electronic apparatus, comprising: a body having a display uniton a top surface thereof; and a holding unit protruding substantiallyperpendicular and downward from a bottom surface of the body for holdingthe portable electronic apparatus and including a menu navigating devicefor navigating a menu displayed on the display unit and a switchconfigured to be operated by a same one hand holding the holding unit sothat the portable electronic apparatus is able to be held and operatedwith one hand, wherein the holding unit includes a grip configured to begrasped at least with a palm of said one hand such that when said onehand holds the holding unit, the palm of said one hand holding theholding unit is also substantially perpendicular to the bottom surfaceof the body; wherein the holding unit is configured to store batterieswhich are used for an electric power source to operate the portableelectronic apparatus.